Philip Rush "Rusty" Haley III

1950 - 2022

Philip Rush "Rusty" Haley, III, transitioned to his Heavenly home, surrounded by his beloved wife, daughters, and some of his dearest friends, on September 13, 2022.

Rusty was born in Baton Rouge, LA, on February 3, 1950, to Philip Rush Haley, Jr., and Velma Rollins Haley. Rusty's love of meteorology and aviation began at an early age. Rusty knew that he wanted to become a pilot when he was in the third grade. By age 16, he had flown his first solo flight. During his freshman year of college, he became one of the founding flight instructors of the aerospace studies program at Louisiana Tech University. By age 22, he was the second youngest pilot ever to be hired by a commercial airline. Rusty flew for Southern Airways, Republic Airways, Northwest Airlines, and Delta Airlines. After 42 years of flying, Rusty retired from Delta Airlines as captain of the 747-400, flight instructor, and the #1 pilot in seniority. Although he was awarded many accolades throughout his years as "Captain Haley," one of his proudest designations was a plaque in the cafeteria of the Delta training facility in Atlanta that read, "Rusty's Table." He loved aviation and meteorology until the very end. Just one week before his transition to Heaven, God graciously allowed Rusty to sit in a cockpit one more time and make his final weather observation for the FAA.

Despite his illustrious career as a pilot, Rusty's first and foremost priority was telling people about his relationship with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He loved people and was passionate about sharing Jesus with others. He was known to share his faith with friends, family members, and strangers. He served the Lord faithfully through teaching Sunday school, supporting missionaries, creating and training a church security team, and diligently praying for others. While having to be in isolation over the past 14 months, he could no longer attend church in person, but every Sunday, he hosted "home church" for his immediate family, complete with PowerPoint presentations and hymns sung by some of his favorite country artists.

Everyone who knew Rusty knew that he loved Jesus and his precious wife of more than 44 years, Carol. Rusty took pride in telling everyone that he made her coffee every morning "because it's in the Bible…he brews." He loved telling jokes and had a nickname for everyone, famously dubbing his mother-in-law as "The Bat." He loved playing jokes on people and was known for his pranks. Even as he battled cancer, he made sure to take a few rubber mice and spiders to the hospital so he could scare his nurses. He never complained about his illness or aggressive cancer treatments. He always thanked his medical team and was known to build rapport with them. He immediately became well-known at Baptist East as he wore bunny ears while distributing Easter candy to the staff.

Rusty is survived on Earth by his wife; three daughters, Sarah Cannon (Seth), Dr. Rachel Dickens (Jon), and Anna Carlisle (Nathan); three grandsons, Everett, Freddy, and Sammy Cannon; and younger brother, Dr. Randy Haley (Ashley) of Leesville, Louisiana, with whom he spoke on the phone every morning. He also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, brothers in law, cousins, dear friends, and his cat, Miss Scarlett.

Services will be held at Mid America Baptist Theological Seminary at 2 pm, Saturday, September 17. A graveside service will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to the ministry of your choice.

Arrangements are under the direction of Brent Taylor-Paul B. McCarver Funeral Directors.